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The mobile phone of a man accused of murdering Damien Heagney was picked up on a cell site covering the vicinity of a reservoir where his remains were found, a court has heard.

Mr Heagney, 47, was last seen alive at the end of December 2021.

He was reported missing in July 2022 and the following month his dismembered remains were recovered from Cappagh reservoir in County Tyrone.

Stephen McCourt, from Riverview in Augher, denies murdering Mr Heagney on a date unknown between 29 December, 2021 and 7 January, 2022.

Phone evidence

On Tuesday the jury at Belfast Crown Court heard evidence from a PSNI cell site expert who analysed data regarding the mobile phones attributed to both the accused and deceased.

The prosecution case is that Mr Heagney was last seen alive at the end of December 2021.

A detective constable confirmed that after analysing cell site data, he could place the deceased's mobile at McGartland Terrace in Dromore on 31 December, 2021.

The jury has already heard that at the relevant time, Mr McCourt lived in a flat at McGartland Terrace.

The witness also confirmed there was phone evidence which proved that Mr Heagney and Mr McCourt were in contact with each other on 31 December and that at 10:53 on New Year's Day they had a video call.

'In the vicinity of reservoir'

A prosecution barrister asked the witness about the "intermittent usage" of Mr McCourt's mobile phone which was picked up on a cell site which covers the Pomeroy and Cappagh Reservoir areas at various times on 2, 3, and 4, January 2022.

When the expert was asked if it was "possible" that Mr McCourt's mobile was "in the vicinity of the reservoir for short periods" during these timeframes, he replied "that is correct".

The policeman was then questioned by a defence barrister and accepted the suggestion there were "limitations" with cell site analysis.

When asked if it was correct to say there was "no evidence that pinpoints" Mr McCourt's phone at Cappagh reservoir, the witness agreed.

The defence barrister then asked that if his client's mobile connected to a cell site in the Pomeroy area - which covered the reservoir - "that could indicate he was in a vehicle driving through that location on his way somewhere else".

The witness again replied "that is correct."